Sermon Notes

“On Whose Terms?”

Frank Sinatra – “I did it my way”

Naaman want s it his way

Setting the Scene

Aram = Syria

Israel = Northern Kingdom

Aram + Israel = Tension

Naaman =a successful general

Elisha = Successor to Elijah in N.K.

Servant Girl = Captured servant of Naaman’s wife

Servant Girl = Knowledge of Elisha + Faith

King of Aram = Just trying to keep Naaman happy

King of Israel = Suspicious + Lack of faith

Naaman goes to get healed

He has the resources to pay for it – “So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing.”

Things happen differently than Naaman expected

“So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house. ¹⁰ Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed."

Naaman responds to what actually happens

“Naaman went away angry and said, ‘I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?’ So he turned and went off in a rage.”

The Rest of the Story

“I did it my way, or thought I wanted to: Naaman and Elisha”

www.examiner.com

How often like Naaman do we want it our way?

In the big picture of faith?

When it comes to healing?

What we need is an attitude adjustment!

Regrets? We won’t have even a few if we do it….GOD’S WAY